Dhenkanal, June, 12: The killer tusker, which has killed 30 people at Kamakhyanagar sub-division in the last two years, is yet to be captured despite concerted efforts by forest officials for the past four days.

Two teams — from Satkosia and Nandankanan zoo — with two tranquilliser experts were on the trail of the elephant since the animal killed three persons of a family at Thuriasanda village on Wednesday night.

Last year, a forest tranquilliser team had been in Kamkhayanagar for 10 days to catch the elephant, but failed as it escaped into the forest. Again this in January, there was an effort to catch it, but it managed to escape from the trap and killed one person at Jaypurakateni village under the Kamakhyanagar forest range.

“Our team had, in fact, been able to tranquillise the rogue tusker yesterday at Tulasipasi jungle. But, that could not be effective for which the tusker fled away,” regional chief conservator of forest of Angul circle Pandab Behera told The Telegraph.

“The tusker is very clever and ran away as the team approached. We have to capture it at any cost so that no more lives are lost,” said Behera.

The district was facing the worst-ever elephant menace this year, as 15 to 20 herds have been found moving near the human habitats in different parts of the district.

The villagers on the periphery of the forest areas in the sub-division were spending sleepless nights fearing animal attack on their houses at any moment, said Malay Hembrum of Thuriasnanda village.

“If the government fails to catch the killer animal, we will do whatever we can to save our lives,” he added.

At present, the tusker was roaming in areas of Tulasiposi, Chakapal and Raibol forest under the Kamakhayanagar east range, a forest department source said.

“All efforts are on to track and capture the animal. We are facing difficulties in capturing the tusker as it is clever. However, we are hopeful of catching it soon,” said Kamal Purohit, chief of the forest official team camping in Kamakhayanagar.